Whats with carry-on luggage?

Question

Have anyone noticed most airlines seem pretty relaxed with their carry on luggage restrictions? I mean, some of these carry on bags are bigger that some of the passengers.

Answer 1

Yes and it really angers me when folks show up at the gate late to board with 2 or 3 carryons and then try to find someplace to stuff them .... then act like they are mad that all of the overhead bins are full when they know full well they should have checked all them bags. And them folks who jump on the plane with 2 big carryons and stuff the bins just because they don't want to check the oversized bags. I used to see a lot of business travelers doing this. A big garmet bag in the bin followed by another carryon case; then they have a notebook in their lap. All of this just so them will not have to wait for their luggage like everyone else when they get to their destination. Can you tell I am angry???

Answer 2

Yes, I've noticed that. Some people have bags larger than my checked luggage, so then someone with a normal size bag comes on and there is no place to put it. I'm not sure why they have the restrictions if they don't want to enforce them.

Answer 3

I wish airlines would enforce this rule properly.

It's maddening to get on the plane with your one correctly sized bag to find the overhead locker has been filled by people (usually not even sitting in your row!), who've bought so much luggage they've spilled over into your bins as well.

It's very selfish and they should be forced to have their bags in the hold AND charged excess baggage fees. Gits!

Answer 4

Airlines loosing luggage is one of the reasons why so many insist on so much carry on luggage.

Answer 5

Yeah, I know and then sometimes they are really strict on you about 1 measley bag. Sometimes you can never tell. I used to work for an airline and I still can't figure out why the rules aren't more reliable.

Answer 6

I was a gate agent for many years for Delta and I can not tell you the kind of arguments you get into with passengers about their carry ons. We have guidelines set by the FAA that we have to follow and airlines have been charged millions for not enforcing the carry on size and piece limits. One offense costs the airline $10,000. The hardest thing is to get women to consolidate their items. The TSA at some airports are good at helping to enforce carry on guidelines, but others say its up to the airlines. Women are the hardest to get to understand YOUR PURSE COUNTS AS ONE PIECE. People try to bring the whole house with them and its rediculous. The other problem is musical instruments. In 2004 the FAA strictly enforced carry on of musical instruments. If it is over the size dimensions, its a no go. Flight Attendants used to be able to store them in their closests, but any crew caught storing items in their crew closets by an undercover FAA agent will be fined. After 9/11 they also changed the gate claim policy. You can only gate check a baby item such as a stroller or car seat or a handicapped device such as a wheelchair, power chair or walker. No longer can you bring your oversized wheeled garment bag or any item of high value and ask to gate claim it. All items that are big enough to be checked must be screened in the bomb detection system. You will either be sent back to the ticket counter and miss your flight if you are caught at boarding time or if the gate agent doesnt want to make a scene, your item will be checked to your destination and claimed at baggage claim and labeled an unsecure item.

People who have not travelled in a while or who make it their life to negotiate make our jobs difficult when we HAVE to enforce these rules. If you want to carry things on, then adhere to the policy's of size and piece count. Understand that we HAVE to follow these rules or the airline is fined. Personally I think it should roll down hill. If an airline is fined because of a passenger, the passenger should be held partially responsible. Some people think they are above the rules and refuse to listen when a gate agent says, "Im sorry, that item is too large" and they respond "Well ive always carried it on before." Rules change and you have to allow us to do our job. The FAA and TSA mandates what we can allow onboard the aircraft, and with a full flight everyone deserves overhead space. Especially those in the bulkhead who do not have a seat in front of them to stow their items. Overhead compartments are meant for each person in the row to have a space. So, basically you only need about 1/3 the space. Trust me, even on an MD-88 a roll-a-board small 22" suitcase will fit wheels or handles first. If the contour of the door is rounded out, it will accomidate the bag.

Yes luggage gets lost, there is no fool proof system. Always put a copy of your itinerary and contact information for at home and destination inside a ziplock bag inside the bag just incase the ID tag or destination tag gets ripped off. Yes the ramp agents toss the bags. But if you had a plane full of 500 bags that weighed 50lb and more and you had to get the bags to baggage claim in 30 minutes or less, think about it. Its repeative motion and you have a short amount of time. Things are not done gingerly unless its labeled fragile. Bags are stacked on top of each other and yes they do shift in flight. So put anything that can leak or break in your carry on. Anything of high value, put in your carry on. Medication, car keys, cell phones, lap tops, electronic items etc...PUT IN YOUR CARRY ON. Just keep the carry on with in guidelines.

The FAA states your carry on should not be any larger than 45 linear inches which is apporximately 22"x14"x9", anything over that MUST be checked at the ticket counter. Weight is limited to 40lb on most airlines, some less. While we do not stand there with a scale, we can require your bag be weighed if it looks heavy. Would you want someone to be getting something out of the overhead that was 50lb and hit you on the shoulder or head. I have seen many people injured because people can't limit themselves to what they carry on.

Its not so much that the airlines are lax...its that the passengers insist on breaking the rules and not letting us do our job and rather have a fight at the gate, we just let them go sometimes. This puts our company at risk for heavy fines and we can ulitmately be held accountable for letting it go. So please please please understand we have a job to do and follow the policies set, its a FEDERAL GUIDELINE that has to be airline policy.

Answer 7

Of course I wanted a carry on that would carry my laptop, camera, mp3, book, money & meds AND still fit under the seat... but no such luck thus far. If they are allowing the HUGE A** carry-On's there should be more storeage for them for Pete's sake!

Answer 8

I know...and what's the deal with airline food? You think a bag of peanuts will hold me for a seven hour flight? I think not.

Answer 9

because of the non-stop terrorism concern, the airlines have and nonetheless re troubled what may be taken on board and in what variety. it would be ultimate to touch your interior of reach airline, or maybe examine their website, to satisfactorily verify. even however if this might't be carried out, to be secure, merely take the needs, consequently you will much less in all probability ought to have something confiscated. the main gadgets i might look out for may be nutrition and drink, any sharp or flammable gadgets, or pointless electric powered home equipment.

Answer 10

It's one thing to carry on a bag of toys or your lap top but not HUGE bags!